In response to Kaepernick’s protests, the Santa Clara Police Department is threatening to boycott working at 49ers home games. The police union is accusing Kaepernick of creating a “hostile work environment.” The basic ultimatum is: either the Team disavow/discipline Kaepernick, or jeopardize the safety of their fans.
1. We really need to challenge the idea that safety is synonymous with policing. Fans are not kept safe by forcing everyone through metal detectors, searching their bags, and subjecting them to pat-downs. Fans are not kept safe by placing armed officers near every hot dog stand. The stadium was a “hostile work environment” long before Kaepernick decided to protest.
2. Football itself is a sport that perpetuates toxic masculinity and war culture. But millions of people still tune-in to watch 22 players break limbs and give each other brain damage. This was a “hostile work environment” long before Kaepernick decided to protest.
Zone of Non-being 
September 4, 2016 at 2:22 pm
What a load of crap. In what way is a peaceful protest creating a “hostile environment?” This is hypocrisy at its finest.
I recently wrote this article, if you’re interested in reading it. https://thewarnerblog.wordpress.com/articles-editorials/the-vilification-of-colin-kaepernick-no-surprise/
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September 15, 2016 at 1:22 am
It definitely didn’t create a hostile environment. They would like it to create a hostile environment. Making things bigger than they need to be. I personally think it was a personal choice for Kaepernick. I respect it.
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September 15, 2016 at 1:26 am
I agree! The hypocrisy is absurd: these officers rolled up to the stadium with all types of bullet-proof vests and weaponry – talking about one person making it hostile by taking a knee!? Smh
I am comforted by the fact that several other players around the league have joined in the protest!
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September 15, 2016 at 1:36 am
I’m glad others joined him also. The police coming fully suited and booted to this “hostile environment” is a bit laughable to me. We have to expect that in the World we live in unfortunately. Then we have people like lil Wayne trying to get on the media’s good side by saying he’s never experienced racism. Maybe he hasn’t personally, but don’t completely act as if it’s something we’re doing wrong.
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September 15, 2016 at 1:55 am
Good point! Trying to make it seem like we are wrong. The media will always trot out some clueless black person to deny the struggle of the masses to appease their white viewers. It reminds me of the way Common, Kanye, and Pharell came up with that “new black” philosophy – the idea that the “new black” doesn’t blame others for their problems. They need to take a seat with that nonsense lol
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September 15, 2016 at 2:03 am
Exactly bro!! Like where do they come from with this nonsense. I recall hearing about Common and Kanye. I didn’t know Pharell was on that too.
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September 15, 2016 at 2:05 am
Yeah Pharell was definitely on it. Them three should do a song together about the New Black so I can buy the CD and throw it in the trash lol
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September 15, 2016 at 2:22 am
Lol!! I know right *eye roll*
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September 15, 2016 at 8:47 pm
I have a biased opinion about this kaepernick fiasco. I do applaud his bravery, but as a black man and as a 49er fan, it is contribed. Yes he is bringing attention to issues but us as black people are proving to be easily bought. Kind of similar to Michael Jordan. Kaepernick averaged a 4.0 GPA in college and has never been a stranger to controversy. Not a peep of this when he was going to get traded to denver. Not a peep when he was in the NFC Championship games. Looks like he is searching for his racial identity. Growing your hair out into a fro and wearing cornrows and giving $1 million dollars to local organizations doesn’t give you a black pass. It’s sickening that he is being compared to real revolutionaries like che Guevara or Malcolm X. Also a 2nd string quarterback who is fighting for his job has the highest selling jersey in the NFL, because of non football issues?? I feel personally insulted as a black man when these black athletes try and buy their blackness back. (Wearing pig cop socks was too much for me too. Kaepernick is in the 1%, let us not forget that)Prior to last year his social media accounts had nothing to do with black history or social injustice. So that’s all it takes, huh? Sorry for ranting.
He is brave, smart, educated, and aware. He is 100% right with the anthem (much like alot of American history being racists), and it’s great he is taking a stand.
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September 15, 2016 at 8:56 pm
I understand what you are saying. I would not compare Kaepernick to Malcolm or Che. But I would compare Kaepernick to a student of Malcolm – Muhammad Ali – who used his platform to send a message.
I think the death of Muhammad Ali radicalized Kaepernick a bit. You are right, last year there was no trace of social consciousness on his page. The turning point was, in my estimation, the death of Muhammad Ali – which likely made Kaepernick think twice about how he is using his platform. I have never seen it as him trying to buy his black pass back (I don’t think he lost it/I don’t think there are black passes) – I think he is trying to generate some much needed conversation about social issues.
I agree – he is brave. I am glad other players are standing in solidarity with him.
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September 15, 2016 at 9:03 pm
The girl he is dating is an activist so that’s another reason why I can’t trust this dude. Yes a student and Ali’s death could of affected him. I just smell something fishy and it’s him. He was supposed to meet at 3rd Baptist Church here in the city last Sunday morning but cancelled last minute. The first time ever he is meeting with black leaders of San Francisco? HMMMMMM yea. I would not feel like this if he came into the league like this or if he was consistent with his message.
I will agree we are all black, and there shouldn’t be hood passes or black passes but unfortunately there is. I stood with Kaepernick 3 years ago when the media was calling him a thug because he has tattoos. But I can’t stand with him on this 100%. I hate to be the what if guy but man I feel like it’s that easy to get acceptance into the black community. Just money, and speak a few good words, and you’re in there.
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September 15, 2016 at 10:02 pm
Consider it this way:
The universe is constantly changing – the clouds, the weather, the waves of the ocean, etc. The only constant is change. People are no different. People evolve over time, and change their opinions and actions accordingly. I was a different person 3 years ago – the same can likely be said for most people. Kaepernick likely came in contact with information that changed his worldview (i.e. videos of police brutality, etc). I would not label Kaepernick as a fraud or a hypocrite – I would just say he has evolved. He is coming out of his political shell. Simply because he wasn’t politically active before doesn’t mean he can’t or should not be now. I give him credit.
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September 15, 2016 at 10:12 pm
Agree to disagree on just a little of what your saying. Yes about change. And yes about evolution and yes about the hypothetical. But like I said on my post about him vs Black power. It’s about timing. He could see the light and by all means I could be wrong.
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September 15, 2016 at 10:14 pm
How could he have improved his timing?
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September 15, 2016 at 10:15 pm
Saying this when he was relevant for football reasons. 2 years ago. As soon as word got out that he was getting cut possible he became socially aware
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September 15, 2016 at 10:17 pm
So you think this is all a publicity stunt to remained on the team?
Couldn’t that have backfired, though?
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September 15, 2016 at 10:24 pm
No, he is a smart brotha. Remember Kaepernick was adopted by a white family. His birth mom was 18 when she had him and she gave him up to put him in a better situation. Kaepernick grew up here in Turlock which is a huge farming city in cali. He was disconnected with black culture until he played sports. And I feel honestly now he is racially divided and he feels guilty. As we discussed before, one thing about being black is hardships and struggles. We were going through struggles for a life time. He is just entering year 3 of struggles. Also, his message is right to pritest. Not taking that away from him. He seems confused. 2 years ago it was controversial because he wore a Miami Dolphins hat and Instagramed it. He couldn’t read a playback to save his life, but he sells tickets and jerserys. He knows how to get attention. All of his social media antics (prior to this) were all for attention. So even if people don’t agree with me, you have to understand why I feel that way.
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September 15, 2016 at 10:30 pm
I understand what you are saying. Thanks for the background on his life story. In my opinion, I never thought his personal story was relevant to the matters at hand because he is protesting a structure and system. He is protesting values and policies – not necessarily the people. In this light, whether he was raised in a white family or a black family falls by the waist-side.
It may be a little unfair to say that he is only entering year 3 of struggles. If he was raised in a white family, there are a whole litany of psychological/cultural issues he had to deal with, such as feeling alienated and otherized by not looking like everyone around you. His struggle may not be as measurable as being impoverished – but he still dealt with race-based issues throughout his life.
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September 16, 2016 at 4:10 am
True I just need more proof to get on your level of belief in him. Still is too calculated not a genuine gesture but a right move. I feel like the message is great but he is the wrong messenger
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September 16, 2016 at 4:12 am
You may be right! Definitely a reasonable perspective!
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